The Temple of VTEC - Honda and Acura Enthusiasts Online Forums > Today's Reading Links > > Carscoop: Watch Honda Turn a Stock Civic Si Coupe Into a Racecar

CarPhreakD wrote:
garoto628 wrote:
Mechanic wrote:
I can understand the criticism, but I think it's misplaced. Preparation of a production automobile for any professional racing series is going to require the same things depicted in Honda's HPD video. Namely, removal of the street components such as the seats, carpeting, dash, door panels, etc., and installation of a roll-cage and components that are durable enough for racing at a professional level. Doesn't matter whether it's a Honda Civic Si, a Hyundai whatever, Ford Mustang, or Chevy Camaro. No one is taking street components to the track. No one.

What sets Honda aside is the fact that HPD facilitates the process. HPD has done the development work, and -- assuming you can afford it -- it's a matter of ordering the components from a menu of choices. Honda's program is no different that those of other manufacturers and better than most: you buy a prepared engine, suspension components, brakes, seating, instruments, etc. And I can tell you from experience having run a V-dub Rabbit in Volkswagen's Bilstein Cup series in the '80s that Honda's HPD program is vastly superior to what was available to the amateur gearhead then when you spent at least a season replacing components that failed for lack of development.

Again, I understand the criticism that, for example, HPD's development involves swapping the engine for one that includes a new head, intake and exhaust components. That, however, is true for any engine developed for competition. (How much of Chevy's ZR1 motor can be found in a Camaro production V-8? Zip-point-naught.) I, for one, think it's great that HPD exists and that American Honda is committed to supporting this series.

I agree with all you've said. I just think its marketing crap to credit the Civic Si the way they did, nothing about the Si made this process possible. A DX would've done the job

I'm not familiar with class requirements, but that may not be accurate depending on what you're required to use from the stock car. The Civic Si has a slightly stiffer body-shell to begin with (which might not matter with that roll cage), unique wheel bearings, steering rack, brakes (I'm assuming these are changed), etc. You might not be allowed to use a K24 engine unless the chassis was originally a Civic Si either.